Walker Raises $13 Million for Recall Election Defense

Wisconsin's controversial Republican Gov. Scott Walker said on Monday that his campaign raised $13 million in a little over three months to ward off a fervent attempt by Democrats and unions to remove him from office.

The first-term governor, who is facing a historic and expensive special election in June, raised the unprecedented amount between Jan. 17 and April 23, according to a finance report filed with the state.

The amount represents more than seven times the combined amount raised by his two main Democratic challengers — Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, according to finance reports.

Barrett raised more than $750,000 since he joined the race to unseat Walker on March 30, and Falk raised more than $1 million since she joined the race on Jan. 17.

Walker enraged Democrats and unions in Wisconsin when he pushed through the legislature last spring a measure drastically reducing their powers. The law forced them to pay a portion of the cost of health insurance and pensions, capped wage increases, and required unions to be recertified every year.

Opponents gathered nearly a million signatures to recall Walker and a vote will be held on June 5 to decide between Walker and a Democrat chosen in a May 8 primary.